Thomas Bennett Burkemper, 83, of Troy, MO, passed away on Thursday, January 11, 2024, at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, MO. He was born on August 25, 1940, and reared on a dairy farm near Old Monroe, MO by his parents Norbert "Chip" and Norma (Cluny) Burkemper together with his four siblings: Monica Mae Burkemper, Mary Patricia (Fester) Smallwood, Michael Norman Burkemper, and Philip Cluny Burkemper. While working on the family farm, Tom pursued and received both his Bachelor of Arts (BA) and Juris Doctor (JD) from Saint Louis University.  Tom started his own law firm and practiced law 59 years beginning in 1965 in Troy, MO, until the time of his death. A life-long learner, Tom obtained a Master of Arts in English from Lindenwood University in 1980, a Master in Liberal Arts from Washington University in 1987, and a Master of Arts in Religious Studies in 1997 from St. Louis University.  He pursued these degrees all while practicing law and running his own family farm, including a dairy farm of over 100 milk-cows that he and his wife sold in 1978.

Tom was a thoughtful, talented, and compassionate general practice attorney and counsel for many in Lincoln, St. Charles, Warren, Ralls, Montgomery, and Pike counties.  With a specialty in real estate law combined  with his deep comprehension of Lincoln County history, Tom applied his knowledge in both his legal practice as well as through his family-run business, the Lincoln County Title Company.  In addition to his private practice, Tom was civically involved and engaged in public service.  In Lincoln County, he served as Lincoln Country Prosecutor 1966-1972, and later as County Counselor for over two decades. His public service extended to the state of Missouri where Tom was appointed to and served on the Environmental Improvement and Energy Resources Authority (EIERA) for many years. Tom also served as a permanent Deacon in the Archdiocese of St. Louis, ordained in 1985, and retiring from active service as a Deacon in 2004. Tom enjoyed civic engagement and state and local politics and was actively involved in supporting local candidates and causes.

Until his death, Tom spent each year planting a total of 36,000 trees, and then tending them, sowing native grasses and wildflowers, familiarizing himself and his family with birds and names of trees, grasses,and flowers.  The Missouri Forestkeepers Network recognized Tom for Excellence in Mast Surveying in 2014.  Tom was an avid reader, storyteller, and wrote short stories and poems about his life. Tom's passion for life was nature, family, and learning, and he was most proud of his family's education and his work on the land. His hobbies included world travel with his wife, Ellen, and in particular volunteering at an orphanage and school in the slum, Klong Toei of Bangkok, Thailand, run by their friend, Father Joseph Maier, a Redemptorist Priest.

He was united in marriage with Ellen Eberhardt on November 20, 1965, at St. Gabriel Catholic Church in St. Louis, MO. Together, Tom and Ellen had four children; Thomas Bennett "Ben" Burkemper Jr., Rachel Rapp Burkemper, Laura Burkemper Ellenhorn, and Adam McCaffry  Burkemper.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 58 years, Ellen Mary Burkemper of Troy, MO; their children: Thomas Bennett "Ben" Burkemper Jr. and his wife Sarah (Hartmann) Burkemper of Troy, MO, Rachel Rapp Burkemper and her partner, Stephen M. Smith of Seattle, WA, Laura Burkemper Ellenhorn and her husband, Michael Ellenhorn of St. Louis, MO, and his daughter-in-law, Janice "Jan" (Starkey) Burkemper of Troy; nine grandchildren: Adam and Ellen Khan, Elizabeth, Joe and Anne Burkemper, Mac and Josi Burkemper, and Sam and Katherine Rose Ellenhorn; his brothers Mick and Phil Burkemper; many other relatives and friends.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents, two older sisters, Monica Burkemper (2006) and Pat Smallwood(2008), and his beloved son, Adam McCaffry Burkemper (June 20, 2023).

A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, January 28, 2024, from 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 500 Highway J, Troy, MO, 63379.  A time of sharing remarks from the family will begin at 1:30 p.m. Mr. Ron McGaskey to officiate.

The family asks you to share your memories of Tom. You may do so on the online guest book or you may mail written stories to the funeral home.  Tom's wife and children would like to hear stories from all the times of his life.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: Legal Services of Eastern Missouri, Prairie Foundation of Missouri, and/or Mercy Centre USA c/o McCoy-Blossom Funeral Homes & Crematory, 1304 Boone Street, Troy, MO 63379. Family and friends are encouraged to sign the online guestbook @www.mccoyblossomfh.com